The changes in the Tree Code have the potential to affect us all. Remember it was neighborhood land use reps that fought to keep money in the City budget to revise the existing, rather confusing Tree Code. Let the Planning Commission and Urban Forestry Commission know what you think. Check out the Citywide Tree Project website www.portlandonline.com/bps/treeproject
COME TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF TREES IN PORTLAND!
Portland Planning Commission and Urban Forestry Commission Joint Public Hearing
Tuesday March 23rd at 6:00 p.m.
1900 SW 4th Ave, Room 2500, Portland
The Planning Commission and Urban Forestry Commission will invite public input about a draft proposal to update and improve the City’s tree regulations. You may give testimony in person or mail written testimony to: Planning Commission/Urban Forestry Commission, 1900 SW 4th Ave., Suite 7100, Portland OR 97201, or email to planningcommission@ci.portland.or.us by April 13, 2010.
To learn more about the Tree Project and prepare for the public hearing, please join us at a Public Open House: Tuesday March 16th at 6:30 p.m. (presentation at 6:45), Floyd Light Middle School Cafeteria, 10800 SE Washington Street, Portland – Project staff will give a presentation and answer questions about the project. (Light refreshments; no public testimony will be heard at this event.)
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The Citywide Tree Policy Review and Regulatory Improvement Project charge is to:
1. Create a consistent, cohesive regulatory framework for Portland’s trees, and
2. Enhance the urban forest through development and redevelopment.
The draft proposal includes:
– Consolidated code title called “Trees”
– 24-hour tree hotline, single point of contact for the public, and Community Tree Manual
– Standardized tree removal permit system; require a permit to remove trees 12 inches in diameter or larger on all lots; eliminate existing single family lot exemption
– Flexible development standards to encourage preserving large trees and groves
– Stronger tree preservation requirements in land use reviews
– New tree preservation and tree density standards applied through building permits
– Improved inspections and enforcement
– Clarified use of City tree funds
To review project overviews, frequently asked questions or the detailed project proposal, go to the Citywide Tree Project website at www.portlandonline.com/bps/treeproject or call Roberta Jortner (503-823-7855), Morgan Tracy (503-823-6879), or Stephanie Beckman (503-823-6042).
Hope to see you there!